44 mag Gold dots?

[ccoker]

anyone have any experience with the gold dots in 44mag?
Georgia Arms has a load that's 1325FPS for 22 a box
I have shot gold dots out of a 41 mag, never at game, but have recovered bullets from the ground and they were 100% intact

[dubber123]

My nephew has gotten 2 deer using my loads, but they were out of a Ruger 77/44 rifle, so I'm not sure how much it will help, as they were going about 1,650 fps. (270grain).  The first deer was @ 90 yds.  shot on the point of the shoulder, full diagonal penetration with a 2-1/2" exit by the rear hip.  Second deer at 60 yds.  broadside, behind the shoulder shot, full penetration, 2-1/2" exit.  Neither deer moved.  I have been trying to get my nephew to try hardcast bullets, but after these 2 deer, he wants nothing but the Gold Dots.

[bigbore442001]

When they first came out I was a tad leery of them for some reason. I chatted with someone who knows a Maine Game Warden that uses them for animal control. If they can put down moose, they should do well for most game.

[jake11]

I used 270 grain Gold Dots this past season with great success.  I am shooting a Marlin 1894P.  They are very accurate and hit hard.  First deer was a 100 pound doe.  Broadside at 60 yards.  She went less that 40 yards and went down.  Second deer was a 165 pound buck.  Hit was directly in shoulder.  Did not penetrate completely and bullet was found on off side just under hide.  He went about 5 yards and copapsed.
A friend of mine used the gold dots in a Handi rifle.  120 pound doe at 70 yards broadside traveled about 50 yards and expired.  The very next morning he hit a 140 pound buck quartering away at 125 yards.  Bullet came out the neck on the off side.  Deer went about 30 yards and dropped.
I liked what I saw with the Gold Dots.  I will use them in the future.

[Boxhead]

It's probably one of the best jacketed bullets out there in my experience. I have taken deer and hogs with it both from a Super Blackhawk as well as my old Ruger Carbine. It will expand a bit and definately will penetrate.

[David Carey]

I purchased some 270 Gold Dots and was really dissapointed. I have been shooting the 265gr Hornady (rifle bullet) yes I know it is a rifle bullet the gun shop always says you know that is a rifle bullet when I ask for them. Get one and lay it next to the 270 Gold dot they look like the same bullet except the 265gr Hornady is a much nicer bullet, better finish and it has two connalure grooves.

Dave

[Lawful Larry]

I purchased some 270 Gold Dots and was really dissapointed. I have been shooting the 265gr Hornady (rifle bullet) yes I know it is a rifle bullet the gun shop always says you know that is a rifle bullet when I ask for them. Get one and lay it next to the 270 Gold dot they look like the same bullet except the 265gr Hornady is a much nicer bullet, better finish and it has two connalure grooves.

Dave

I give up, why were you disappointed???     

[David Carey]

Larry

I have no penatration tests or studies, I just thought when I opened up the box they looked like they were taken out of the bulk bin box on the floor of the gun shop, they did not look like what I thought I was paying for after hearing everyone talk them up as such a great bullet. I have worked up loads for the 265gr and for the $1.50 more per 100 it is a great bullet IMHO.

Dave

[jake11]

David Carey
You are basing your opinion on nothing but looks?  Try them before you decide you are disappointed.  Why do you think people are paying for these.  They are not cheap but they perform.  I was trying to find a bullet that all of my 44 Mags liked.  I tried many and found what one gun liked, the others didn't.  They I tried the 270 grain Gold Dots.  1894P shoots them great, 77/44 shoots them very well, Super Blackhawk likes them, Handi-Rifle likes them.  And to make matters even better, they penetrate and kill as good as any other.
To me it is worth the extra money to have one bullet for all of my 44 Mags.  I think they are great.

[David Carey]

I at this point do not wish to try them the tips on them looked like they were home made, the 265's I made a point on IMO are a much nicer bullet and are very acurate out of my gun. Is this not information the original poster is looking for different views not all one sided they are the greatest bullet made.

Here is a picture of them side by side.



Dave

[WL44]

Out of those 4 bullets guys you want to avoid the 2 at the bottom - they are only made in halves it seems. The 2 at the top both look okay to me 

[David Carey]

At least they will be 50% good. My point is  I guess that we spend all this time working up the most accurate round for our gun why would you want to start with a bullet that has a deformed tip.

Dave

[Graybeard]

The deformed tip will have no adverse effect on accuracy at all. I would prefer that one to the other personally for several reasons. The BASE not the tip is what wrecks accuracy.

[dubber123]

Also by virtue of the way it is produced, the Speer is basically a bonded bullet, and will likely hold together better than the cup and core Hornady.  Shoot whatever you like, thats personal preference, I'll take the fugly Speer, bonded bullet, cheap, and shoots inside 1/2" at 50 yds. in my 1894P.  The Hornady is a good bullet too, though.

[Zeus]

We have had good luck with them in the past.  we have even tried the 210 Gold Dot over a hefty charge of 296.  It was used on a doe at 70 yards and blew a really nice exit hole out the offside.  She went about 30 yards bleeding profusely and piled up.  I was hesitant at first but after trying some penetration test on wet phone books, we felt comfortable with the bullet.  It was very accurate so we gave it a shot.  The 270 is even more impressive.  We used it on a very large coyote one time and it was awesome at about 85 yards.  He rolled at the shot and the exit was about the size of the bottom of a coke can.  GS